Jerry Thomas

Jerry Thomas is a retired commercial artist living in Cary, IL. He has had a lifelong interest in way too many things, as his wife will attest. Jerry became a student pilot some 33 years ago, when he traded his commercial artwork abilities for flight time with a CFI. He is an active member of the EAA chapter at Galt Airport. He enjoys long walks in the woods with his dog, Rocko, an activity that his wife staunchly encourages, and is the long-time builder of a standard-gear Sonex that he hopes to complete sometime during this century.

With the investors’ money, two 7-hp motors were obtained and mounted, and a flying demonstration was planned in the town square. What happened next has been the subject of considerable speculation, some more fanciful than others. All of it is unsubstantiated and has become part of the local folklore.

“What kind of a fuel system needs 13 sumps?” I asked myself. Years ago, the Cessna 172 I flew had one in each wing and a t-handle under the belly that shot a stream of fuel onto the pavement when I pulled it. It turns out that this was just the one of many changes that had slipped by me since I last preflighted an airplane.

Write For Us

Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? You do not have to be Richard Collins or Ernest Gann--simply a GA pilot with a story you'd share with friends sitting in the hangar. Share your experience on any aspect of GA transportation flying, whether for business or pleasure. Photos are an added bonus.

About Air Facts

Air Facts was first published in 1938 by Leighton Collins, dedicated to “the development of private air transportation.” It’s a different world now, and it’s a different Air Facts. Relaunched in 2011 as an online journal, Air Facts still champions, educates, informs and entertains pilots worldwide with real-world flying experiences.

Email Newsletter

Join thousands of other pilots - sign up for our informative email newsletter. It's completely free, and we will not share your information with anyone.